Equine Performance Science
Discover effective skills and strategies for managing the human-horse relationship.
Horses are complex animals, and supporting their performance requires thoughtful management.
At ARU in Writtle, you’ll explore areas such as training, coaching, health, nutrition, management and the business of equine performance.
By combining scientific knowledge with practical application, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the principles underpinning horse health and management. You’ll also explore elements such as coaching the rider, saddle fit, behaviour, farriery, managing gait abnormalities and more.
You’ll be based in the Equine Training and Development Centre in Writtle, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn. There are around 70 horses on campus, and you’re able to bring your own horse to university too: find out more about our DIY Livery Yard.
As well as our 3-year degree, you have the option of studying over 1 year to gain a Certificate in Higher Education.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
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Having the ARU Writtle Academy riders and their horses on site, students can see first hand how each horse is trained as an individual depending on their status and discipline
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Case study examples are embedded into the delivery in as many scenarios as possible as they are key to giving 'real life' experiences
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Learn on our Equine Training and Development Centre, which offers extensive facilities including a working stable yard, riding arenas and an equine therapy barn
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Gain a thorough grounding in the scientific principles enhancing horse health and performance
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Join our Equine Academy, which supports talented competition riders and provides coaching from UKCC-qualified coaches
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Choose one of our DIY livery packages and bring your horse to university while you study
Course options
Key facts
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
- Equine Practical Skills (15 credits)
- Equine Health Management (15 credits)
- Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
- Breeding and Foaling (15 credits)
- Saddle Fit and Farriery (15 credits)
- Functional Anatomy (15 credits)
- Assessment for Performance and Health (15 credits) *
- Ethics of Animal Use (15 credits) *
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Business Skills (15 credits)
- Equitation and Coaching (15 credits)
- Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
- Equine Health and Disease (15 credits)
- Young Horse Production (15 credits)
- Introduction to Animal Biomechanics (15 credits) *
- Extrinsic Factors Affecting Equine Performance (15 credits) *
- Equine Behaviour Science (15 credits) *
- Equine Research Technology (15 credits) *
- Business Innovation (15 credits) *
- Developing Professional Practice and Using Information in HR (15 credits) *
- Major Project (30 credits)
- Applied and Clinical Equine Nutrition (15 credits)
- Behavioural Wellbeing (15 credits)
- Equine Biotechnology (15 credits)
- Equitation Science (15 credits)
- Influencing Equine Performance (15 credits) *
- Biomechanics (15 credits) *
- Equine Growth and Development (15 credits) *
- Sports Medicine (15 credits) *
- International Intercultural Management (30 credits) *
- The Reflective and Empathetic Entrepreneur (30 credits) *
- Employment Law and Relations (30 credits) *
If you study the Cert HE, you'll complete core modules from Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) course.
Our course team includes industry-experienced staff and practitioners in equine rehabilitation, behaviour, nutrition and breeding, as well as competition riders and UKCC coaches.
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Jane HartLecturer in Equine Performance
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Rosemary LawrenceLecturer in Equine
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Susan MooneySenior Lecturer
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Dr Roberta BlakeAssociate Professor
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Charlotte Coleman-FryLecturer in Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy
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Chloe MabbuttLecturer in Equine
Facilities
Study equine courses with ARU in Writtle and benefit from our Equine Training and Development Centre. We have around 70 horses on campus, with a working stable yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an oval horse walker, therapy barn. On our 150-hectare campus with grazing and space for events we have a DIY Livery Yard for students' horses. Take a guided tour and meet our students.
You’ll also be able to make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources and access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Equine Academy: support for talented riders
The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle supports a group of competition-level riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider, stabling for the horse, and access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.
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Academy barn - Writtle students are able to bring their own horses to university with them on DIY livery.
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Central track and turnout which leads to our Equine Training and Development Centre
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Our Equine Training and Development Centre, home to all things equine and approximately 70 horses.
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Horse water treadmill
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This is the largest of our arenas (24m x 60m), each of which have a different surface. This allows students to assess the impact of surfaces on equine biomechanics.
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Our outdoor arena is 20m x 60m in size and located next to the horse walker.
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Tempo arena is one of our indoor arenas, 24m x 55m in size. DIY Livery students have access to all of our facilities when not being used for teaching purposes.
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The Therapy Barn is a large teaching space that allows presentations to be shared with students while simultaneously apply their learnt techniques.
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Careers
As a graduate you'll have strong practical and commercial insight, and be ready to contribute positively to equine performance.
Some of the job roles you may consider in the equine industry are:
- horse and rider instructor
- equine nutrition
- show co-ordinator/event manager
- equine trainer/educator
- competition horse production.
Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Equine Performance Science.
Entry requirements
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Entry requirements are not currently available, please try again later.
Fees and paying for university
Apply for Equine Performance Science
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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